Chemical Peels
Skin > Chemical Peels
TCA Peels, Glycolic acid peels, salicylic acid peels, kojic acid peels
Chemical peels are highly effective in achieving skin smoothness and vitality. They also improve superficial discoloration and eliminate fine wrinkles. They do no significant improvement of acne scarring or dynamic wrinkles. Medium depth peels can be achieved with a variety of chemicals. TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is the most common. glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other agents are also used.
Advantages
Medium depth chemical peel will improve color, texture, skin tone, and fine wrinkles. It will also improve superficial discoloration, such as age spots. Once the desired result is achieved , medium peels may be repeated every three to six months for optimal results. Unlike deep peels, medium peels may be performed safely on people with olive and light brown skin. They may also be used in some people with dark brown skin, although the risk of discoloration is higher. It is important to prepare the skin with medical grade skin care prior to peels. Such skin preparation of skin reduces the possibilities of pigmentation changes. Medium peels can maintain youthful skin in the young patient.
Disadvantages
Fine wrinkles will be improved; medium chemical peels offer no improvement for dynamic wrinkles. To achieve the best results, you should use medical grade skin care products before your peel and anticipate that two or more peels may be needed at three-month intervals. The effects of a medium chemical peel may dissipate over six months to a year, but improvement will persist if you adhere to a skin care program and peels.
Preparation for Medium Chemical Peel
Preparing your skin prior to a medium depth chemical peel will result in even penetration, faster recovery, lower risk of discoloration, and a better result. Skin preparation may be achieved by applying retin-A, glycolic acid, and bleaching agents daily for four to six weeks. Retin-A will help your dead superficial layers of skin shed and will allow chemical peel agent to penetrate more evenly. Retin-A will also stimulate your skin to regenerate the collagen and elastic layers of the dermis. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, will enhance the effects of retin-A and the peel. Bleaching agents used before and after your peel will minimize color changes. Obaji skin care remains the golden standard.
The Procedure
Medium peels are performed as office procedures and require 15-60 minutes. Pain medication or sedatives help you tolerate the burning during peeling process. Dr. Shureih will apply a chemical solution, usually TCA, to your skin, one area at a time. When the desired depth has been achieved, your physician will neutralize the peel by applying iced saline. After ice is applied, you will have no further discomfort. Burning lasts about two to ten minutes. Once all areas have been neutralized, your skin will return to its normal color in 15 to 45 minutes. A good quality moisturizer is applied; you will then be allowed to go home. Post operative pain medication is not required.
Recovery
There will be no discomfort following the procedure. You will wash your face four times daily with gentle cleanser and water followed by application of good moisturizer. Your face will initially appear red. Within a few days, your superficial layers of skin will turn dark, become stiff, and resemble leather. They will then crack, flake, and peel. Flaking is usually complete in four to seven days. Do not help by removing the peeled areas. There will be no open wounds and no scabs. Once your old skin has sloughed, your new skin will be bright and flushed. You will be able to return to work immediately, but your appearance may preclude this. Most are able to comfortably return to public within seven days. You should resume skin care within two weeks of your procedure. Your flushed appearance will fade slowly over several weeks.
Cost
Total cost of a full-face medium chemical peel averages $600. If you wish to have only a portion of your face peeled, such as the area around your mouth or the area around your eyes, the cost will be less.
Expected Duration of Results
Medium chemical peels will last six months. Repeated peels can maintain the improvement for loner periods of time. If you use skin care products regularly after your peel, you will maximize the duration of improvement. Most women who choose medium chemical peels as the mainstay of their facial rejuvenation have a repeat peel every six to twelve months.
Satisfaction
Women who seek dramatically increased skin vitality with a reduction of fine wrinkles, who understand recovery and temporary duration of effect, and who do not expect improvement in dynamic wrinkles are generally satisfied with medium chemical peels.
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